Eric Butler's Blog, page 26

The Ephraim Godwin Chronicles - The Early Years: The Awakening Part 22

This story takes place 5 years before the first Ephraim Godwin Chronicle Serial. It will be longer than a simple stand alone story so I will be releasing parts of the tale every Wednesday. Part 22 contains Chapters 42 & 43.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

The sky shifted from a bright blue to a dark gray as clouds rolled in from the west. Ephraim welcomed them as they provided relief from the relentless sunlight. He licked his dry and cracked lips, instantly regretting the decision as his tongue caught and tore on the dry and crusty scabs.

Ephraim stumbled to his knees as the first drop of rain struck his cheek. Maybe the storm will offer a brief respite from the continuous battle. The bodies, now piled higher than he stood were becoming more of an impediment than a functional defense. The stench was quite overwhelming and there was no rhyme or reason dictating when they might tumble down.

He had been trapped more than once under an unexpected pile of the dead; their weight slowly suffocating and crushing not only his physical body but his psyche as well. Who would have guessed being trapped under corpses would have such a negative effect? Laughter burst from his chest followed very quickly with a low groan of discomfort.

Will I ever gain relief from this? As if to answer his thought, a thunderclap sounded as the clouds opened up and rain began to pour. Tears joined the rain which ran freely down Ephraim's cheeks. He welcomed the cool raindrops as they washed over his battle-weary flesh. He watched in amazement as the bodies slowly melted down into the earth until they all disappeared and there was only mud surrounding him.

Ephraim leaned forward, placing his palms flat on the saturated soil. He sat like this for a moment before clenching his hands around the cool sodden earth, relishing the battle stopping as much as the cleansing rainfall. It seemed an eternity since he had been allowed a true break. His body shuddered as the tension released from his muscles while the rain continued to pour down.

Lightning streaked through the sky, offering quick blasts of illumination onto the now cleared battlefield. Ephraim glanced up; amazed at the distance he could now view after seeing only piles of the dead. Thunder boomed overhead, pounding on his eardrums like some mad drummer before the rainfall grew in intensity. Ephraim kept his eyes on the horizon, waiting for more lightening. There's something out there. The thought gave him pause, but the longer he waited for confirmation the surer he grew. Something was moving this way...something big.

Ephraim took a deep breath. Whatever it was, he would not face it on his knees. As he moved to stand, fingers rose from the dirt and wrapped around his wrists. He watched in horror as his hands disappeared into the muck. As he struggled to free himself, a force pulled harder. Lightning flashed, showing him how deep his arms were now under the soil.

He slumped to his stomach as the mud slid past his elbows, then his biceps, and finally both arms. Ephraim turned his head to take one last breath before his whole body sunk under the mire.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Henry sat at the table in his kitchen. Judging from the shadows, it was late afternoon. Dinner would be soon. Where is Ms. Morris? His lips parted as he took in a deep breath to call out her name when a knock came from the front door. Who could that be?

Henry stood, trying to remember the last time he had a visitor. Shaking his head as his face reflected his bewilderment, he hurried to find out who might be at the door. Another round of knocking sounded.

"I'm coming," he called out, more to encourage them to wait than to end the pounding.

Henry pulled open the door, "Hello, hello..."

No one was there. He stepped outside, looking left then right but still found no one. He scratched at his chin as he moved to enter the house. His mind otherwise occupied, Henry slammed into the now-closed door. Stumbling backward, he fell to the ground with a groan. First no Ms. Morris and now this?

"The church is safer," a voice called out.

"Lady Farkus?" Henry asked as he glanced around, still not seeing anyone. He pushed to his feet, wobbling on the way up as his head pounded.

He blinked as he rubbed the back of his head. Your church. The words more appearing in his head than spoken aloud moved his attention from his home to the building up the road. Henry shrugged and walked over to his home away from home.

As he entered he called out, "Hello?"

For a moment the only answer was silence, but as he made up his mind to return to his home in hopes of finding Ms. Morris cooking dinner, a tiny splash came from the font near the back of the sanctuary. Henry inched closer, suddenly wary of what might be there.

He peaked over the edge and gasped as he stared at Lady Farkus's face, "However did you get in there?"

"Henry, dear, we've no time for questions," she said fading in and out with each word. "I chose this because he has no power here. He must not know I've helped you in any way."

"Who...the Baron?" he asked before sighing, "or the rather tall fellow?"

Lady Farkus simply nodded before continuing, "You will need to remove the stone from the Baron's chest to have any hope of stopping him. Once he is down, you must cut it out, or he will return even stronger...every rebirth only enhances his abilities."

Henry opened his mouth to interrupt, but she held up her hand and waved him quiet. Her eyes lingered on his face a moment then she continued, "Wait until he defeats the giant's champion. The Godwin Brothers are not equipped to deal with both. Do you understand?"

"Yes, but..."

"No time. I am using the little abilities I have as of now to explain this to you. You will need to get your brother. The giant will be occupied when you awake. Follow your favorite color until you find him. I'm so sorry dear Henry Godwin. If only we met earlier," she said, the finality in her voice tearing at his heart in a way he hadn't expected.

Henry woke with a groan. His head pounded, and a sharp stick jabbed him in the small of his back. How did that not wake me up sooner? The giant stood near the largest pod Henry had ever laid eyes on. It shook and twisted as if something was trying to emerge from within.

A blue butterfly fluttered around his head, tapping him on each cheek until he finally focused on it. Is this what she meant? He studied the insect as it moved around the clearing before flying in the opposite direction of the pod. Well...either way, it takes me from the giant.

Henry crawled away until he slipped into the foliage. Confident no one was following, he stood and began to chase after the small burst of blue leading him away.

© 2021 Naked Cat Press. All Rights Reserved

An amazing review of The Pope Lick Massacre and some suggestions for February

The Pope Lick Massacre received an amazing in-depth review this week and I wanted to share a bit of it here. I strongly suggest you head over to Andy's Honest Reviews and read the whole review and see the other books he's taken the time to showcase. He will lead you down the right path to finding new and exciting voices in fiction and horror.

From Andy's review:

"I cannot stress enough how much I was caught off guard by The Pope Lick Massacre! Eric writes very well, and utilizes adjectives marvelously. I cannot really think of a moment that it felt redundant, and I love that! The story starts off at a slow pace, and then Butler shifts it into overdrive redlining you all the way to the finish. I also can say I never had anything pinned down, and was thrown for so many loops! The ending is absolutely crazy and amazing in my humble opinion!"

You can also find the Independent Book Review's review here.

From the IBR:

"If you love horror and cryptozoology, you’ll get a kick out of this book. There are plenty of bigfoot and UFO stories out there, but not many about the Pope Lick Goatman. Butler delivers suspense in each chapter of his book, and there are plot twists hiding where you least expect them."

You can order your copy here .

I am almost always behind the times, so of course, I missed this initially but having just completed the 3 seasons on Netflix, I have nothing but praise for Travelers. If you've been reading my nonsense on here for any length of time you know I am a sucker for the STARGATE SG-1 shows.

Well, the guy- Brad Wright- behind those incredible shows (more stuff I was decades behind with) is the brain behind this amazing Syfy action. More importantly, this show is filled with amazing characters that grow with the show in a way that makes you invested in each of their lives. I was shocked how attacked I grew with many of the characters -Something Wright did so well in Stargate Universe.

The premise is simple: Hundreds of years from now, surviving humans discover how to send consciousness back through time, into people of the 21st century, while attempting to change the path of humanity.

https://youtu.be/99LZwZmSoNo

There are 3 seasons and it is a complete show. Something I appreciate in this day and age when shows don't always get the chance to finish their story. I will tell you, the show has some eerie coincidences to life in 2020-2021.

Finished this recently. If you are a fan of military horror and/or werewolves, check out this book.

“He’s tearing him apart! Help us, please, God help us!”

Sergeant Peter Knowles has seen it all: in Afghanistan he witnessed death on a level that no-one should walk away from. Returning to Britain, he jumps at the chance to lead a small team in Devon. The task sounds more like a holiday; exactly what Knowles and his men need.

The mission: watch Jack Stadler.

When the first dismembered body is found, Knowles begins to realise he has made a terrible mistake...

You can read for free with Kindle Unlimited or order the paperback. Find it on Amazon, here.

The Ephraim Godwin Chronicles - The Early Years: The Awakening Part 21

This story takes place 5 years before the first Ephraim Godwin Chronicle Serial. It will be longer than a simple stand alone story so I will be releasing parts of the tale every Wednesday. Part 21 contains Chapters 40 & 41.

CHAPTER FORTY

The Baron stood in the shadows, a frown upon his lips. The giant dragged the vicar away while his children fluttered around like the annoying gnats they were. His vision blurred as the red intensified and the throbbing of the gem nearly brought him to his knees. He tasted its disappointment at the back of his throat.

Weighing the element of surprise, the Baron decided now was not the time. There was still a chance to recover poor Henry Godwin. He need only wait for the giant to let his guard down. Soon enough.

Giggles and whispers from the wood nymphs drew his attention back to the pond. They sat on the shore, their feet in the cool water. He studied these creatures with disdain. How dare they frolic so easily in my woods? How dare they even exist? The Baron paused for a moment, was this his thoughts or the gem? Does it matter?

"Good afternoon, ladies," he said as he stepped from the shadows.

His hand grabbed the closest nymph and held her struggling form before him. The others released a collective screech as they flew to their sister's defense. Laughter bubbled past the Baron's lips as he tore the first dryad in half. Blood sprayed across his chest, sitting on his flesh a moment before soaking into the gnarled knot and feeding the stone buried there.

Maybe not as powerful as the vicar's blood, but he could feel a burst of strength as the stone fed. If one feels this amazing... He let the thought fade as he snatched two more from the air. He held them tight, all the while laughing, as they burst in his grasp like overripe grapes.

The final nymph turned as if suddenly realizing there was no hope, but the Baron's fingers wrapped around her leg and held her above his head. She screamed in terror as he lowered her to his gaping maw and bit through her neck with a crunch. Her blood filled his mouth before running over his chin to cover his chest. His body hummed with the newfound power.

Oh, yes...much better.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

The giant slung Henry to the side as he entered the clearing. He continued to stomp towards the pod containing Selina Farkus. Well, her essence at least. He paused a moment, hovering over his handy work as he searched for any clue when she might emerge. It was taking much longer than he remembered, but then again the last time the giant had attempted such a transformation Rome was nothing more than a thought.

He shook his head, driving the memory away. That attempt had ended in spectacular failure; so much so, he avoided even thinking about using that specific magic for many centuries. Desperate times require desperate measures. At least he hoped, otherwise he may not be able to avert catastrophe this time.

No point in destroying this plague of man if it, in turn, removes all signs of life in the process. A low moan from Henry grabbed his attention and he stalked to the man of God. Squatting he studied the vicar before offering him a sneer. This hairless ape will not be the cause of our destruction. I will see this land overwhelmed with faerie once again.

The giant picked a flower and crumbled the petals into a fine powder. This man's brother was trapped in a field of such flowers. One should be enough to keep the vicar slumbering until the necessary time. The giant blew the dust into his face. Henry swiped absently at his nose before slipping back into a deep slumber.

***

Ephraim lay in a heap on the ground. His chest heaved as he took giant gulps of air. Every inch of his body ached and he wondered if he would survive another wave of attackers. The bodies piled high in front of him, forming a wall and offering him the brief respite he was now enjoying.

Well, enjoying is a bit of a stretch. He grinned at the thought, unable to find the energy to form a complete smile. His side burned and he lifted his arm to probe the area. Long scratched covered the area and as he ran his fingers over them, they began to bleed once again.

Ephraim winced as he studied the amount of red covering his hand. Is this my fate? To suffer in this hell while my family is lost? Are my sins so great? He shuddered as his mind wandered to the actions that led to his predicament. If only Henry was here to offer guidance...or at least provide another arm in defense. He giggled at the thought of Henry swinging a sword. His side exploded in pain and he moaned as he clutched at the cuts.

"Regret that," he growled through clenched teeth as he drove his blade into the ground.

A horn sounded in the distance, announcing his enemies were advancing. A small pile of bodies burned off to his right, and Ephraim stumbled to the blaze as he tried to ignore the smell of cooked flesh. His stomach rumbled in hunger, and he fought the urge to lick his lips.

Ephraim reached into the fire and pulled free a branch burning on one end. He shook it to extinguish the flame before pressing the red hot offshoot to his side. Howling in pain, he stumbled forward before slipping to his knees. His vision blurred and Ephraim feared he would lose consciousness any moment.

The horn sounded again, closer this time. The ground shook from the footsteps of the approaching force. Ephraim struggled to his feet and shuffled to his sword. His fingers wrapped around the hilt and he freed it from the ground.

"Today is as fine a day as any other," he whispered, stepping through the wall of bodies to face his approaching death.

© 2021 Naked Cat Press. All Rights Reserved

Revisit: What the blurb?!

As I work closer to completing my 3rd novel, the first of a series, I stumble across my old friend the blurb. My least favorite part of the process...

I hope to have a cover reveal next week, and some more information on the book and when it will be available for people to check out. And now let's flashback to 2019 when I wrote about the process of creating a blurb for my first novel, The Shadow Within.

Click here to check it out...

As I inch closer to the release date on my first novel, The Shadow Within, I discover more fun and interesting things to do. I am self-publishing, so I do have to cover everything that would be handled by an agent or an actual publishing firm.

I have to get the book edited, formatted (for paperback and eBook), design a cover, file the proper paperwork, get the right files to the right publishing sites, and of course write a book. And while all of that seems and let's be honest, is quite overwhelming at times, I have found the most frustrating thing of them all...The Blurb!

The blurb is the 200 or so words you read on the back of the cover to see if you might be interested in reading. Today many of the blurbs you see are actually on the web page next to the book cover.

And according to some it might be more important than the book itself. I'm not one of those people. The blurb is never the singular factor in my decision to read the book. I take in the cover, the genre, and yes...the cursed blurb.

I have spent more time writing and rewriting the blurb than I did getting my DBA, my EIN, my copyright filed and getting set up to print on Amazon. I've almost decided when it's all said and done (and God willing I complete a blurb that people will find acceptable), I will have spent less time writing the actual book than the blurb.

There are many sites where a writer can go to get feedback and suggestions on an impressive amount of topics. The blurb even has its own Reddit.com section. It is here and on a few Facebook groups that allow for sharing of projects where I've had my blurbs ripped to shreds and crapped on.

My book is a horror novel. It is 80000+ words and I am required by law to explain it to you in no more than 200 words. There are rules to follow and if you even think of straying from the path, well you know...

So what have I learned about blurbs?

They need to convey genre, atmosphere, and basic plot points. Without ever specifically naming the genre, comparing it to any other book, and those plot points better stay basic Mister! Except you can and are expected to all of those things around the blurb. You need a hook, a killer first line (and every other line better at least wound someone), and you need to make sure you "engage the readers' sympathy or curiosity" (actual advice) of the main character to "convince the reader that they are going to care". - Did I mention this is 200 words?

So I wrote, and shared, and scrapped, and wrote, and shared, and scrapped and finally began to scream into the void...you get the picture. If not, here is a visual aid.

I received helpful hints, and not so helpful hints. Some people would use your question as a launching point to get help for their work. Some would tell you to get a hook, but not share where they might keep these at your favorite Mega-store. Some would point out a line or two that helped or hurt the blurb, and to those people, I say "Thank you". Others simply said trash it all, it's all garbage, or you're garbage - that last one might be me projecting.

One person told me my blurb sounded like a romance novel, and I didn't need anyone to tell me to ball that one up and throw it away. Then a few started to respond positively to my blurb. Instead of throwing everything away, I was allowed to keep a few words. Then they blessed me with a few lines. And then these kind souls (i.e. monsters) let me keep it all but a few words. "Tighten it up", "Less is more", "More is more", and of course "Where's your hook?"

Finally, I put out a blurb I felt followed the rules while breaking them and gave you more by being less and hooked you and maybe even threw you back...Am I doing this right?

I got some good feedback. People seemed to like it and after a final edit, I was feeling positive. I have my blurb. Then I did a final check on Reddit. A new message on the blurb page. This should be helpful as I polish this masterpiece of a blurb...

This line needs to go - It is an evil of unending appetite. Too straightforward and plain. Honestly, you need to just start over. Here's a link to the same article you've read a million times. Follow its blueprint.

Great, back to the drawing board. I'm including the blurb in its current form. Let me know if you like it and what needs to be changed. After reading it, are you interested in reading the book? All of this will help as I move forward to publication. [This was written 10/20/19. I awoke this morning for even more helpful advice and so I am going to leave this in tact. I will include the new and improved blurb below last night's blurb. Which do you prefer?]

VERSION A

Centuries ago the natives captured and imprisoned a life force of pure evil and unending hunger. Thirteen years ago an eight-year-old boy woke the darkness. It grows in strength every day and now the boy is a man. A man skilled in terror and violence, the very things the darkness needs to finally break free.

Jill, a city girl at heart, was surprised when the car came to a stop. Jack wasn't kidding when he said they were going to the boonies. A family vacation, her with Jack and his teenage kids, was not her idea of fun but Jill was ready to take the next step. She wondered if this trip was Jack’s way to say he was ready as well.

As the man stalks through the countryside, unleashing panic and dread, will Jill be able to escape with Jack and his children? Or will the man soak the ground in blood and release…

The Shadow Within

VERSION B

A relentless evil possessing an already depraved man... gruesome and hideous acts of brutality... Will anyone survive?

Centuries ago the natives captured and imprisoned a life force of pure evil and unending hunger. Thirteen years ago an eight-year-old boy woke the darkness. It grows in strength every day and now the boy is a man. A man skilled in terror and violence, the very things the darkness needs to finally break free.

Jill, a city girl at heart, was surprised when the car came to a stop. Jack wasn't kidding when he said they were going to the boonies. A family vacation, her with Jack and his teenage kids, was not her idea of fun but Jill was ready to take the next step. She wondered if this trip was Jack’s way to say he was ready as well.

As the man stalks through the countryside, unleashing panic and dread, will Jill be able to escape with Jack and his children? Or will the man soak the ground in blood and release…

The Shadow Within

Discover a tale of horror in the terrifying debut by Eric Butler

The Ephraim Godwin Chronicles - The Early Years: The Awakening Part 20

This story takes place 5 years before the first Ephraim Godwin Chronicle Serial. It will be longer than a simple stand alone story so I will be releasing parts of the tale every Wednesday. Part 20 contains Chapters 39

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Henry whispered the Lord's Prayer as he stomped through the undergrowth. He was quite convinced he was never stepping out of these woods again and expected if it wouldn't be better for the Baron to find him. Well, maybe it's not that bad. His arm ached at the thought of the Baron.

The vicar slowed as laughter and hushed voices floated on the wind. He squatted next to a thick oak and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Henry strained to hear what was being said or if he recognized any of the voices. Drat, nothing. Biting his bottom lip he crept forward.

As Henry slipped closer the voices grew clearer and he realized he was listening to three women. He paused by a group of bushes and peeked through the foliage. His breath caught as the three young women came into focus.

All three had hair of gold that hung well past their waists. Two floated in the middle of a modest-sized pond, and the third lay on the sandy beach across from him. They spoke of the cool water and the warm sun as the vicar's cheeks flushed hot in embarrassment. Standing he cleared his throat to announce his presence.

Screams of surprise and shock slipped past the ladies' lips as they turned to face the vicar. He kept his head down, eyes focusing on the sheen of the pond's still water. He shook his head, hoping the motion would remove what he witnessed before standing.

"My apologies...ladies," he called out. "I am quite lost and when I heard voices only hoped for salvation. It was not my intent to witness...your glory."

One of the ladies snickered before saying, "Oh it's only the vicar."

Henry's cheeks grew hotter, but he now wondered if it was from the continued embarrassment or anger. Only the vicar indeed!

"Give us a moment," another voice called out, followed by more giggles and whispers.

Henry's back grew straighter, and he took a deep breath as the need to confront these wild women grew. A buzz filled his ears before a weight landed on his shoulder. A soft hand touched his neck and he jolted in surprise. More buzzing filled the air and Henry's jaw slipped open.

"Sorry vicar," the woman, now only four inches tall, said as she hovered in front of him. "We didn't realize you were about. How may we help you?"

A second tiny woman flew up next to the first and spun around, flinging the last of the pond water from her skin and hair. He watched in amazement as the two hovered waiting for his answer.

"Well?" a third voice said from his shoulder. Henry slowly turned his head, knowing what to expect but still completely flustered to find a diminutive woman on his shoulder.

She offered a sly smile and wink before stepping off and flying towards the others. With wide eyes, he stared at the women hovering before him.

"Good Lord," Henry finally said sitting back down behind the bushes. I've obviously struck my head. Hopefully, I'll wake soon. The buzzing grew in volume as the three floated over the bushes and landed before him.

The figure in the middle shimmered as she said, "Vicar you have a choice. We stay this size and are covered, or we grow larger but show off our...glory."

He shook his head and sighed. Henry closed his eyes for a moment, opening them to peek at the three before closing them once again.

"No, this is fine," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "I need to know how to escape these woods and find my way back home."

The three giggled and began to whisper. Henry peeked once again finding them pointing in all different directions while they argued. Finally, the one from his shoulder took front and center.

"Vicar, we have no idea," she said as she pointed behind Henry. "But he might be able to help."

A large hand gripped his shoulder and lifted Henry into the air. Vicar struggled to free himself slapping and clawing at the hand. His captor shook the vicar until he calmed down and dangled in the air like a rag-doll.

"Well, look who found some of my children," a voice said before issuing a booming laugh.

His captor spun Henry around, pulling him up to be face-to-face. Henry's bowels turned to jelly as the tallest man he'd ever seen held him in one hand. Huge antlers grew from his head, and with a closer inspection, Henry believed the giant's beard would be moss. Eyes the color of the earth looked him over, and Henry had one thought before slumping unconscious.

At least he's not the Baron.

© 2021 Naked Cat Press. All Rights Reserved

150 posts and going strong?

I've spent the last 3 days focused on finishing the edits on my 3rd horror novel, and the first in a series. I'll have more information on that in the coming weeks. That being said, I'm burned out. I'm just gonna remind you of some of the things I have already out in the wild. I've also included a couple of old school movies for people to check out if they need a horror fix.

This just came out and is crying to be read by all. 13 Hell-related stories have been collected here for your enjoyment, including 1 by yours truly! Click Here.

My first novel, The Shadow Within, is a fun and violent love story. Check it out on Amazon: Click here...

A relentless evil possessing an already depraved man... gruesome and perverse acts of brutality... Will anyone survive? Centuries ago the natives captured and imprisoned a life force of pure evil and unending hunger. Thirteen years ago an eight-year-old boy woke the darkness. It grows in strength every day and now the boy is a man. A man skilled in terror and violence, the very things the darkness needs to finally break free. Jill, a city girl at heart, was surprised when the car came to a stop. Jack wasn't kidding when he said they were going to the boonies. A family vacation, her with Jack and his teenage kids, was not her idea of fun but Jill was ready to take the next step. She wondered if this trip was Jack’s way to say he was ready as well. As the man stalks through the countryside, unleashing panic and dread, will Jill be able to escape with Jack and his children? Or will the man soak the ground in blood and release…THE SHADOW WITHIN

The Pope Lick Massacre is a fast paced monster story filled with blood and mayhem. Find a copy here...

There are two types of people in Jefferson County: those who know the legend of the Pope Lick Monster and those who believe it. Before the night is over, Sam will have no choice but to join the believers.Since their mother’s death, Sam’s sole focus has been taking care of her younger brother, Kenny. Now Kenny’s Scout troop is missing, having never returned from the woods around Pope Lick. Sam gathers a group of friends to search for the boys and their Scoutmaster. With each step, they get closer to discovering the scouts aren’t the only ones in the woods this night.“The Pope Lick Massacre is a bold, brutal horror story that’ll remain in your mind long after you read it. This book is not for the faint of heart.” –Independent Book Review

Silver Bullet is back on Amazon Prime for streaming. It's one of my favorite werewolf movies and is based on a book by Stephen King.

https://youtu.be/2d5LjAZqp1s

Arachnophobia is streaming on HULU and Amazon Prime. If you love spiders or hate them, this is a fun movie.

https://youtu.be/QN-grY5Z5xY

Dead Zone is on HULU and Amazon Prime. Christopher Walken shines in this movie.

https://youtu.be/P5zc6ZLNCek

The Ephraim Godwin Chronicles - The Early Years: The Awakening Part 19

This story takes place 5 years before the first Ephraim Godwin Chronicle Serial. It will be longer than a simple stand alone story so I will be releasing parts of the tale every Wednesday. Part 19 contains Chapters 37 & 38.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

A jolt of pain woke Henry up with a gasp. A wave of panic washed over him and he struggled to sit up while cradling his arm against his chest. Judging from the shadows, he guessed it was midday but he couldn't be sure since he appeared to be in the middle of the forest

Henry glanced around, searching for the Baron as well as trying to gather a sense of where he might be.

"Well, that didn't help," he finally announced, needing to hear a voice out loud. Even if it is just my own. The thought comforted him as much as hearing anything other than the sounds of nature.

The vicar stood with the help of his uninjured arm and the nearest tree. His broken arm seemed to pulse in time with his heartbeat, leaving him lightheaded and slightly nauseous. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath.

Henry held it for a moment, praying for the strength needed to move forward, before releasing it. He started to walk, leaving the clearing and making his way to what he guessed might be a deer trail. It may take some time, but he was sure the more room between him and the Baron, the better.

***

The Baron stood on the bank of a creek that traveled through the deepest part of the forest. His body ached in exhaustion and he struggled to remember the last time he ate. A strong buzzing filled his ears and he slumped to his knees. For a moment he knelt there, his eyes seeing nothing but a red haze.

His hand darted into the creek and snagged a fish. He brought it to his lips and began to eat, savoring the fresh raw flavor as it filled his mouth. His stomach grumbled, leading him to grab another and another, until his stomach practically ached from all he ate.

The Baron glanced around, wondering where he left the vicar. He stood, ignoring the fish guts on his hands or the mud on his knees as he spun around. The red haze intensified as his rage boiled over. Where is that fool man? He slammed his fist into the closest tree. The hum grew louder, as if an angry swarm of bees were inside his head. The Baron stomped off fully aware it would only get worse the longer the vicar was loose.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Ephraim knelt in a field of the dead. Sweat poured down his face and his chest heaved as he struggled to catch his breath. He no longer knew how many battles he'd participated in, but he was quite sure from the piles of bodies around him the number must be in the double digits. His sword lay on a rare patch of grass beside him and he closed his eyes as the noonday sun shined down upon him.

His mind shifted through his memories, trying to count how many he had killed compared with how many times he had fallen throughout this nightmare. A horn sounded in the distance and he sighed in frustration. There was less and less time between battles, and the sun never seemed to move past noon.

These battles will never end without nightfall. The thought rang hollow in his head for he assumed in this hell, the battles would be waged no matter the time of day. Laughter carried on the wind and he opened his eyes, surprised to see the bodies were no longer around him.

Ephraim struggled to his feet after gripping his saber. He glanced around but couldn't find the horse that had fought by his side for many of the battles. God grant him mercy. A giggle slipped out at the thought. He must be losing his mind. The ground began to shake from the overwhelming number of men racing toward him.

If this was his punishment, then he would meet it head on. Taking a deep breath, Ephraim saluted his enemies and stepped into the surging mass of bodies.

***

The giant stood over the pod, both rested and fed. He closed his eyes, feeling out with his mind to enter into the cocoon he constructed. She was almost ready. Soon you will be awakened and our reign will begin as we take back this island.

The pod shuddered as if in anticipation to his thought and the giant smiled. The experiment that was man would soon be over.

© 2021 Naked Cat Press. All Rights Reserved

2021 Monday morning thoughts...

2020 was exciting for me as a writer as I released The Pope Lick Massacre and wrote several stories selected for inclusion in some pretty exciting anthologies. I'm looking to not only continue my momentum from 2020 but increase it as I eye more anthologies to target and to release some more self-published novels.

There are two types of people in Jefferson County: those who know the legend of the Pope Lick Monster and those who believe it. Before the night is over, Sam will have no choice but to join the believers.Since their mother’s death, Sam’s sole focus has been taking care of her younger brother, Kenny. Now Kenny’s Scout troop is missing, having never returned from the woods around Pope Lick. Sam gathers a group of friends to search for the boys and their Scoutmaster. With each step, they get closer to discovering the scouts aren’t the only ones in the woods this night.“The Pope Lick Massacre is a bold, brutal horror story that’ll remain in your mind long after you read it. This book is not for the faint of heart.” –Independent Book Review

The newest review is quick but says all you need to know...

Available in paperback and on Kindle: ,Click Here

This anthology will be available to order on January 13th, 2021. Red Cape Publishing has been working on this amazing 26 volume anthology. I have a story appearing in this volume. Order it for the Kindle here.

Another collection of flash fiction stories (250 words or less) I have a story in is available now to order in paperback or on the Kindle. Check it out ,here

Extreme Drabbles of Dread is a collection of bite-sized extreme horror stories.

This is an EXTREME horror collection and will push you to the edge of your limits. This is not for the faint of heart.

You have been warned.

Black Hare Press has a series of anthologies that focus on the 500-word story. I've had several stories picked up for these quick dark tales and they should begin coming out soon. I'll post links as soon as they are available.

I'm editing my 3rd novel right now and it's kinda taking forever. The plan is this novel will be part of a trilogy at the minimum, but I love the characters so much I can see myself writing more than that so we will just have to see.

Of course, I'm talking about The Ephraim Godwin Chronicles. The first book is tentatively titled Sins of the Past, but nothing is set in stone. While I have shared this story with you in the serial format, the novel will be different. That is part of the reason the editing is taking so long, I am rewriting sections to make the story more novel friendly. I'm hoping there will be enough new and exciting ideas to make it worth reading even if you were with me every week.

One of my favorite movies has popped up to stream on Amazon Prime. Clay Pigeons, directed by David Dobkin, not a name that people immediately know but he's very good. He's the director behind Wedding Crashers, Shanghai Knights, Fred Claus, and The Judge to name a few.

Side note - if you have Cinemax or Directv, stream the Judge. It's one of Robert Downey Jr's best performances.

The cast is amazing, many just starting to cut their teeth on meatier roles. Vince Vaughn is great.

https://youtu.be/_XSqN5dnrQE

Before I jump back to editing, I wanted to recommend another book. I got this for Christmas from the wife and it blew me away. This is a horror novel that doesn't rely on over the top violence or sex to grab your attention or horrify you. It just builds tension with every page.

Here is my review left on Goodreads

Honestly I wasn't sure what to expect with The Auctioneer. This is a part of the Paperbacks from Hell series, and the 1st one I read was nothing short of a complete disappointment. So I was hesitant to jump back in but I so want the series to work.

This book is incredible. The premise is really simple. A man shows up to a small town, he wins over the sheriff, and volunteers to run an auction to raise money for the police. The people of the town volunteer a few items, and the auction is a success. So much so, the sheriff comes by the next week looking for more items for another auction, and then they come the next week, each time looking for more.

The book focuses on a specific family: John, his wife, their 1 child, and ma. Everything moves through these people and their property. While the book starts off friendly enough, it doesn't take long for the tension to start. Once it starts, it never stops, instead growing with every page until you must know what is going to happen in hopes to get a break. The horror of this story is so understated, to the point that many might not even understand what is right there under their noses.

I was worried when I started that it might end up on my not-finished pile but I can say without hesitation it's one of the best books I've read in a long while. For sure the best one I've read in 2021.

You can find it here.

The Ephraim Godwin Chronicles - The Early Years: The Awakening Part 18

This story takes place 5 years before the first Ephraim Godwin Chronicle Serial. It will be longer than a simple stand alone story so I will be releasing parts of the tale every Wednesday. Part 11 contains Chapters 35 & 36.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Ephraim jogged through the field, at first mindful where he stepped but soon he left a trail of crushed flowers in his wake. Feelings of guilt exploded through his body with each crunch as flashes of his time in Crimea overwhelmed his senses. He slowed, growing dizzy as he struggled to find breath.

Stumbling to his knees, Ephraim attempted to gulp huge breaths hoping to combat his sudden breathing difficulties. The flowers around him swayed as a gentle breeze moved across the field, filling his lungs with more and more pollen. He clawed at his throat before slumping over unconscious.

***

"Quiet," the hulking giant said through gritted teeth as Henry began the Lord's Prayer again.

Henry was no longer aware how many times he'd spoken the words allowed but he had begun anew as soon as he finished. Apparently enough times to get on my captor's nerves.

"Our Father," Henry restarted staring at the man's massive back. "Who art in heav..." The word cut off in a yelp as the Baron jerked Henry forward and held him up so they could see eye-to-eye.

"I said quiet." The words hung between the two men in challenge.

Henry focused on the Baron's glowing red eyes. Evil radiated from there, overwhelming Henry and stealing the breath from his lungs. He always felt the Baron was a wicked man but now he seemed so much more. This man is corrupted in some type of unholy alliance.

"And if I refuse?"

"Then I will break more than your arm," the Baron hissed as he reached out and gripped Henry's forearm before twisting.

Henry howled in pain as he struggled to free his arm from the Baron's iron-like grip. Cold laughter filled his ears as the man continued to twist and turn, breaking Henry's arm in a number of places. The Baron slammed him back to the ground and began to march, once again dragging the vicar behind him.

As Henry's vision faded he started the prayer once again.

***

The giant slumbered. Thick, knotted roots ran from his back and legs into the ground and pulsed as they pulled nutrients from the soil. His hands lay, folded, in his lap as his back pressed against a mighty oak. The shade from the overhead branches hid his expression of exasperation.

This close to his final goal and still he found himself in a struggle against man. Who would have guessed all those years ago that his worshipers would abandon him to chase false gods in cities of stone and metal? Anger flooded him, forcing his dreams into a dark reflective corner he preferred to avoid.

If only he could remove two pieces from the game board, he knew he would finally be successful. The vicar was in the hands of a demon and would most likely be removed without the giant having to do anything but the infernal Ephraim Godwin was stomping through a field of wildflowers toward him at this very moment. The giant easily pictured the human marching through the field as he tapped into all the nature around the man.

"What's that?" the giant mumbled as his eyes moved under his thick lids. A swell of excitement rose in his chest as he recognized poppy plants mixed within the other flowers.

The giant took a deep breath and let it out slowly. In his mind's eye, he witnessed his breath blow through the blooms, shaking the pollen loose. A smile grew across his lips as Ephraim struggled against the poppy's effect and slumped to the ground. Success is closer than I realized.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Ephraim's eyes fluttered open. He lay in a field but no longer surrounded by wildflowers. Shuddering he rose to his knees, horrified to find he was in the middle of a sea of bodies. Those closest to him were easily recognized as British, but he spotted Sardinians, French, Turks, and those bloody Russians throughout the carnage. Mounds of earth and flesh exploded all around as the thunder of cannon fire drowned out all but the loudest of cries.

Ephraim searched the ground, hunting for his revolver or better yet a rifle. The weight of his saber was missing from his hip, and he struggled to remember the last time he had it. Why had I thought I was home? A vision of wildflowers quickly disappeared as the ground to his left exploded.

A hoarse scream sounded to his right, drawing his attention. A Russian soldier stumbled towards him. He limply held his revolver in his right hand, his left wrapped around the hilt of Ephraim's blade, which happened to be sticking through the man. Ah there it is. He had no memory of leaving it in an enemy but now was not the time for quibbling.

"How kind of you," Ephraim shouted as he sprang toward the soldier.

The Russian tried to straighten his revolver but his arm shook from the effort and he tumbled to the ground. Ephraim stepped on his chest and gripped the handle. How very Arthurian of me. He smiled at the thought as he pulled his blade from the dying man's chest. Bending over he snatched the revolver, checked it was loaded, and nodded to the dead soldier.

In the distance, Ephraim caught sight of a horse milling around the dead and dying. It was a lovely shade of grey and appeared unaffected by the chaos all around it. He stumbled towards the beast, praying nothing happened to the magnificent animal.

Ephraim slowed a few feet from the horse, holding out his hand and making calming noises he was sure the beast couldn't hear. The horse shied from him a moment before snorting and stepping forward, nuzzling its nose against his hand. Ephraim fought the urge to cry out in celebration, still worried about spooking the beast.

He gripped the bridle and stepped to the side of the horse, swinging up to settle in the saddle. He tested the horse's reaction to his knee pressure and smiled when it responded as he hoped. Ah, must be from back home.

"Shall we see what mischief we can make?" he asked the beast as he urged it forward.

The horse started off, gaining speed with each step. Ephraim took aim and fired, all five shots found their way to a different target, thinning the number of adversaries between him and the bulk of the enemy force. Out of bullets, Ephraim threw the revolver at the closest soldier who dodged out of the way.

With a war cry, he raised his saber and charged forward. With each step, a surge of enemy soldiers appeared as if from the dead themselves and crowded around Ephraim's mount. They clawed at his legs, tore at the horse's flank, and moved to block their momentum.

Ephraim slashed, changing sides like he was rowing a boat. The horse rose high, stomping down with its front legs and kicking out with its back. Yet the number continued to swell.

Ephraim became unbalanced, teetering off to the side as a number of hands pulled and clawed at him. His saber slipped from his grasp as he tumbled into his attackers. Struggling to turn, he landed on his back with a thud. His vision blurred a moment and he feared he would lose consciousness at any moment. Don't you dare! You are British and will die on your feet!

Ephraim moved to stand but the enemy fell upon him. It was then that he noticed they were not actually Russians but instead something else entirely. They stood like men, although many had a hunch to their back. Their skin was dark like many of the Russian's Ephraim faced in the war, but these had a reddish hue. Horns, big and small, jutted from each one's forehead and their eyes glowed with a heat unknown to man.

"What is this place?" he asked as they pinned him to the ground.

"Why this is your own personal hell," a voice said as the battleground grew deathly quiet. A man stepped to Ephraim and displayed his lost saber. Offering an excited smile, he drove the blade into Ephraim's stomach. "We hope to make your stay legendary."

Ephraim's vision faded to black as his blood soaked into the ground, the only sound on the battlefield the man's harsh laughter.

© 2021 Naked Cat Press. All Rights Reserved

Science Fiction...or Fact?

This weekend I've been working on a 5000 to 10000-word dark science fiction story for an anthology and I thought I'd share some of my favorite science fiction movies you may have missed. I've restricted these titles to movies you can stream on either popular streaming services or free apps.

Starting in the 80s - Starman - available on HULU and Prime

An alien takes the form of a young widow's husband and makes her drive him across the country. The government tries to stop them.

Directed by the horror master John Carpenter and starring Jeff Bridges before he became insufferable and Karen Allen. This is a heartwarming film that shows what a master Carpenter is behind the camera, no matter the genre.

https://youtu.be/SOMyCjQzk4w

Staying in the 80s, Schwarzenegger's The Running Man is available on Prime

In a dystopian America, a falsely convicted policeman gets his shot at freedom when he must forcibly participate in a TV game show where convicts, runners, must battle killers for their freedom.

From the director of The Cutting Edge, The Running Man takes a Richard Bachman (i.e. Stephen King) short story and gives us an action-packed look into a very dark future where people's fates are decided by the networks.

https://youtu.be/pkAN5rGGP1M

Jumping to the 90s I offer you one of the greatest Science Fiction movies ever made. I expect everyone to have already seen this classic but if for some reason you've missed it you really should stop down a.s.a.p.

The Fifth Element is available on HULU

In the colorful future, a cab driver unwittingly becomes the central figure in the search for a legendary cosmic weapon to keep Evil and Mr. Zorg at bay.

One of my favorite directors, Luc Benson, created this incredible world and movie in the late 90s. With a superstar cast including Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Milla Jovovich, and Chris Tucker this movie has it all action, comedy, a love story, and an ability to show a serious movie with the proper amount of tongue-in-cheek to keep everyone engaged.

https://youtu.be/FrEf8XHToGI

Jumping ahead to 2005, one of the most popular video games got a pretty fun, super-violent movie. Doom can be streamed on Netflix

Space Marines are sent to investigate strange events at a research facility on Mars but find themselves at the mercy of genetically enhanced killing machines.

This is a straightforward alien invasion shoot 'em up starring Karl Urban, Rosamund Pike, and The Rock (pre-Disney).

https://youtu.be/LljkKoPs1Gg

Jump ahead a few years and one of my favorite directors jumped into the science fiction genre with Sunshine. You can stream it in HULU.

A team of international astronauts is sent on a dangerous mission to reignite the dying Sun with a nuclear fission bomb in 2057.

This is director Danny Boyle's film before he won an Oscar for Slumdog Millionaire. He tackles the science fiction genre with a stellar cast: Chris Evans, Cillian Murphy, Michelle Yeoh, Rose Byrne, and Mark Strong...to name a few.

https://youtu.be/veC25b8Vd2E

This last one will be a little harder to find unless you just breakdown and purchase it. One of my favorite movies, period, is Upgrade. You can stream it on the FXNow app or rent/purchase on the regular streaming sites.

Set in the near-future, technology controls nearly all aspects of life. But when the world of Grey, a self-labeled technophobe, is turned upside down, his only hope for revenge is an experimental computer chip implant.

Logan Marshall-Green, doing his best Tom Hardy impression, takes center stage as a man who has lost everything and must embrace the one thing he distrusts the most to move forward.

https://youtu.be/36PDeN9NRZ0

There are of course several obvious classics I haven't included here but there's always a chance they show up in another post.

I have a story appearing in this anthology. You can get a Kindle copy for $2.99 or read it for free with Kindle Unlimited on January 13th. Paperback version to follow at some point.

Click Here .

Extreme Drabbles of Dread is a collection of bite-sized extreme horror stories.

This is an EXTREME horror collection and will push you to the edge of your limits. This is not for the faint of heart.

You have been warned.

If you like quick little stories meant to make you uncomfortable, scared, and a little offended...give this collection a read. Filled with stories by some of today's top independent horror writers and me. You can read for free with Kindle Unlimited or own it for $1.99. Paperbacks are only $10.99.

Click ,Here.